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I sighed as I got out of my covers, rubbing my eyes. I hated the fact that every time I’d go for a prolonged period of sleep, I’d wake up because of either someone talking or back pain. Especially back pain. I could never figure out what was causing it – was the bed too soft? Too hard? At any event, it was really annoying and-

And I realized that the floor was not made out of tiles.

Now, that was weird. I was pretty certain my room had white, matte tiles for floor, not polished wood. In fact, I haven’t seen a wooden floor is almost two years. So the question was, why was my floor made out of mahogany all of a sudden?

That was after I realized, that I had, in fact, been sleeping on the floor. In a very expensive looking, Japanese-style futon. Hell, there was even one of those ancient paper wall-thingies that could have been folded, depicting what was…

Landscape of Japan, overseen by Sun-Goddess Amaterasu.
Wait, what?

How did I know that? I mean, sure, I can tell as much from symbolism, but why did I instinctively answered that as if I already knew…then I realized that I was thinking in Japanese.

Now, I do have limited grasp of the language…but I was in fact, fluently speaking it to myself in my head. It was…really surreal.

This is wrong. What did I drink last night?

I take a look around my room again, and notice that it’s a mixture of European and Japanese styles, with slight emphasis on Japanese. I walk up to my work desk (Why do I even have a work desk that was made in Taisho era?) and carefully turn what I assumed to have been a mirror.

Oh, I’m handsome. And rich too, apparently.

It takes me a while to convince myself that the charismatic, gleaming young man on the other side, is not me. For one, I do not have black hair. I most certainly do not have gray eyes. And I was never ripped in my entire life.

Oh.
Ohhhhhh. This is one of those “wake up in someone else’s body” situation, isn’t it? With no way of going back, and no idea of what’s going on?

…

This is so exciting!

I spend a minute trying to think of who I might be. I’m most certainly not Captain Hazama. Definitely not Lelouch – too manly and Asian for that. Not Date Masamune (pity, I liked the guy) or Oda Nobunaga (I’m a fan). Not Adam Jensen pre-accident.
I’m wrecking my brain to find an answer, when I glance at one of the documents on the table. I realize it’s a schematic for a really, really big gun that look kinda like Space Marine Heavy Bolter. On top of it, there’s a manila folder with initials “XFJ” stamped on top.

XFJ? Heavy Bolter-like cannon?

I wouldn’t happen to be…Tadakatsu Ikaruga, would I?

I go to check the closest wardrobe, and sure enough, there’s a delicious blue grab of Imperial Royal Guard, with enough medal ribbons to make Brezhnev proud.

I realize that I’m in Muv-Luv universe.

On one hand, I’m scared. I’m scared as fuck. I mean, this is about the worst universe to get stuck in body-swapping adventures. The only worse place I can think of is being Marine in “Aliens” or “Starship Troopers”. Or in being in Dead Space 2.

But on the other hand, God-damn, I’m motherfucking General Ikaruga! I have Takamura Yui working for me! How is that not awesome? And given my Armored Core and Ace Combat skills (and possibly the whole Matrix “I know Kung-Fu” Keanu Reeves expression thing) I can probably make every Eishi on this side of Pacific look like a scrub.

And above all, I’m not Takeru.

I laugh maniacally as I fling random knife into a map of the world, dramatically embedding it into location of Kashgar.

;^;

In totally unrelated news, XCOM happens to have Yui's Takemi palette for some reason. Many lulz where had when I had it plastered on every single grunt except this Chinese guy.

__________________

Let the world fear us all.
It's just means to an end.
Our salvation lies in the Father's sins.

To be fair, this came about because I frequent Spacebattles, and a common story style is an SI in the above style.

Also generally things don't go well for the SI Hey, it's Spacebattles.

And X-COM? That explains the lack of Comet! (I'm kidding, lol - X-Com is fucking boss and filled with great awesome. Even if I tend to save scum and ragequit, then come back an hour later to continue. )

That said, I really need to finish Extra and all before I continue. Sadly, while I will have proper knowledge, my SI isn't going to be in the same position, having not quite finished Alternative, though he's fully dialed into Total Eclipse.

__________________

~Speaking my mind, even when it costs me~One must forgive one's enemies, but not before they are hanged.Heinrich Heine.

Here's a wild idea. What if Kane of the Brotherhood of Nod appeared in the Muv Luv universe.
Will he be the one to unite humanity against the BETA or it's Dark Messiah?

Isn't he is(or was?) both?

Besides,I wonder if someone ever thought of the idea of a fanfiction that just about every important character in MLverse have switched mind with a bunch of internet posters who have decent knowledge in MLverse...?

Is there any record of types of small arms used in the Muv-Luv verse? I'm just wondering if anyone's developed interesting (or even stupid) ways for ye olde poor leather-boot foot grunt to actually HURT BETA, outside of the normal rifles/pistols/et al.

If not, I'm wondering of some weapons that in real life we have on the planning table (or even sci-fi-ish ones like those gadget guns in Call of Duty Black Ops) can believably be put into the Muv-Luv-verse without seeming too oddball or out there. I mean, they already have Silvio existing, right?

The only thing I'd do would be to woo Yui and maybe Yuuko.
The whole "take over Japan" shtick comes after immediate threats have been dealt with.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wavehawk

Am I the only one who regards Ikaruga with suspicion? (As in Conspiracy Theorist suspicious of potential Conspiracy Leader suspicious)

I haven't really read TDA to be 100% accurate, but:

Spoiler for For apparently the last shots of TDA3::

In last TDA Ikaruga is revealed as being pretty much the main man behind the Border Wars, and views the Shogun/rest of Japan as utterly disposable piece. He's also being helped by Takeru, and much of the IRG, which decided to go and fuck it after the Day.

Then again, it might just be just the circumstances of TDA's harsh world. Ikaruga seems like a practical guy.

Besides, who cares if you're a hero or villain when you have Charisma?

Also, real-world infantry firearms are implied to be more effective than we might think. Soldiers, Warriors and Laser-class BETAs are all vulnerable to assault rifle fire (and Tanks might be as well, considering what we see in Kamchatka arc); the issue is that BETAs can be surprisingly fast and can withstand much higher damage threshold compared to human soldiers. I'm pretty sure there's a fragment in Schwarzemarken where NVA troops are trying to hold out against BETA using East-German AKs and bayonets.

__________________

Let the world fear us all.
It's just means to an end.
Our salvation lies in the Father's sins.

- Good luck with that. you might have more of a chance with Yui...unless you're Lelouch Lamperouge or Light Yagami and can evilyl charm the pants off Yuuko. (Actually, being a snarky Tony Stark-type might actually turn her off, but that's just my opinion...)

Quote:

Then again, it might just be just the circumstances of TDA's harsh world. Ikaruga seems like a practical guy.

- It's one thing given the circumstances of TDA, but my main concern is: What if he's actually planning things similar to this in the Alternative timeline, and we're just not aware of it. That's just my paranoia at work.

Quote:

Also, real-world infantry firearms are implied to be more effective than we might think.

- Ain't broke, don't fix it?

...granted, I just (finally) got a shot at playing CoD BOII for the first time and was wondering if a Flechette Explosive Dart Launcher would be a quick and nasty way to clear a room full of Soldier-class. (to those who don't play CoD: It's like the Needler from Halo--stick-stick-stick-BOOM). That got me to thinking about really, really crazy ways for infantry to mess with BETA attacks or at least stall for time.

- Good luck with that. you might have more of a chance with Yui...unless you're Lelouch Lamperouge or Light Yagami and can evilyl charm the pants off Yuuko. (Actually, being a snarky Tony Stark-type might actually turn her off, but that's just my opinion...)

I think the best way to get Yuuko is to have the ability to outwit her which very few can actually do in her world.

If Lelouch or Light did it, I'm pretty she would be wet...with perspiration.

So, remember I was saying I had some stuff about RMAF Hornets in Malaysia?

Got a little thing written up:

Spoiler for Fortunate Son:

“It ain’t me, it ain’t me,
I ain’t no General’s son, son,
It ain’t me, it ain’t me,
I ain’t no fortunate son.”

“Lipan-5 to Lipan-6. How’re you doing, mate?”

“Somehow, these Malaysian Hornets feel kinda off. Not like the ones in Oz.”

“Yeah, well it’s not as if we can do anything, can we?” grumbled Lipan-5 to his wingman. “Okay, familiarisation’s over – let’s RTB. Take the lead, I’m your wing.”

“Take the lead?” asked Lipan-6, his grin evident, and Lipan-5 rolled his eyes.

“Yes, yes, take the lead. Show me some of that fancy flying you learned at the ADF Academy.”

“You asked for it, John,” laughed Lipan-6, kicking his F-18C Hornet into afterburner, diving for the deck, the gray TSF barely 50 feet above the ground, juking left and right, zigzagging, corkscrewing and performing barrel rolls, keeping just above the rainforest canopy. All throughout his mad dash, a smile was on Lipan-6’s face.

Keeping formation with him throughout all the maneuvers was Lipan-5, a resigned expression on his face, as Lipan-6 leveled out and entered the landing pattern at RMAF Butterworth.

“Tower, this is Lipan-6, requesting flyby, over.”

“Negative, Lipan. Pattern is full.”

“Noted tower, thanks!”

“Lipan-6, what do you-“

The air traffic controller’s angry shout was cut off by the roar of turbofan engines in afterburner as Lipan-6’s Hornet thundered past the tower, with Lipan-5 still on his wing. The two Hornets pulled an Immelman turn at the end of the runway, before righting themselves and coming in to land. As the two Hornets made their way to Lipan Squadron’s hangers, Lipan-5 finally spoke.

“Y’know, we’re both going to get a chewing out for this, Ray.”

“It was worth it, John.”

“Let’s hope Boss sees it that way.”

* * * * *

“So, what do you think of our new boy?” asked Captain Adrian Ong, Commanding Cfficer of RMAF No. 18 Squadron Lipan, to his right hand man. First Lieutenant John Davis took a moment to collect his thoughts.

“Good pilot. He can fly, no question about it. Training wise, from what I saw today he’s got good grounding in the essentials. He’s got a good head on his shoulders for a new LT. All he needs is combat time, lots and lots of combat time, to get all nicely cooked.” John shrugged. “As for a training plan, I have no training plan, Boss. Just chuck him in the deep end and pull him out before he drowns is all I can think of. That and lots of ass-chewing.”

“Hey, that was all for your benefit,” laughed Ong, and John’s lips twitched in a small smile.

“Anyway, yeah, so with him around that gives us eight pilots total, and we can start going out again. Fuel is alright but spares are a major issue – for the next two weeks, I’m going to run all our training in sim-mode. Any word on our needs?”

“I’m still trying. But now that Ray is in our squadron we should have it easier to get our spares.”

“There are days I wake up and wonder what the hell our Defense Minister is doing. Buying secondhand Hornets without spares. And then those Army Finance brassholes keep trying to cut our costs.”

“Well, that’s why I managed to get a General’s son into our squadron,” smirked his CO.

* * * * *

John Davis and Raymond Tan were both different and similar at the same time. John was the son of an Army Colonel, a military brat who’d grow up in Sabah, only stepping foot in the land of his parents the day he joined the army. Ray was the son of a well-to-do and distinguished General, and had lived his whole life on Peninsular Malaysia. While John had enlisted, and had won his commission through OCS, Ray had been chosen for a cadet exchange program with the Australian Defence Academy. Where John was alternately serious and hot-tempered, Ray was always cheerful and friendly.

But despite all that, they understood each other.

Perhaps it’s their backgrounds and command of language. Perhaps it’s because their fathers are friends, although they only really met and got to know each other as young men. Perhaps it’s because, at the end of the day, they are kindred spirits.

Whatever their connection is, it’s cemented on their first combat sortie.

* * * * *

Ray is good, but he’s got a sense of overconfidence and cockiness, and he overreaches; his assault cannon runs dry and he brings up his CIWS-1A knife, stabbing it into the Destroyer’s side, slicing it open, like a matador fighting a bull. The Destroyer lurches forward, strumbling, writhing in pain – if such a beast can feel pain.

The problem is that Destroyers are never alone.

He parries a blow from a Grappler, slicing it’s head off, and before he’s aware of what’s going on, he’s been ambushed by Tank-classes, jumping on top of his Hornet and forcing it down, their gaping mouths reaching for his cockpit block…

Then an assault cannon barks, and the hungry red forms around his downed TSF explode in flesh and blood, as a CIWS-1A knife slices into the Tanks crawling on top of his TSF. The Tank that covers his head sensor is yanked away, and moments later, the area around his downed TSF is clear, and John’s face is a corner of his HUD, full of mixed anger and concern. His Hornet reaches a hand down, and Ray grasps it as the other pulls him to his feet.

“You okay?”

“Yeah. Just a bit shook up. Thanks. I’ll owe you.”

John merely shrugs, a small smile appearing on his face, even as he resumes firing on the BETA. “Favor for a favor. It’s what friends do. Let’s move.”

*

Theirs is a friendship forged through blood and shared hardship. The pilots of Lipan squadron are closer than other squadrons, for in their shared adversity there is camaraderie. Unlike other squadrons, where the superior officers hang back and send the men to die, Lipan Squadron's pilots - boys and girls, really - can fight because they each have each others' backs.

They are different, these two young men, in almost all respects - but that doesn't matter, because they are brothers forged by adversity.

Quick Character Bio:

Spoiler for The dudes:

Captain Adrian Ong: CO of Lipan, and mentor to John, who is a sorta mentor to Ray. Adrian and John both hail from Sabah, which gave them early common ground, and Adrian has been very much a mentor to John. He's not the easiest man in the world to work for, but he cares about his people, and does his best to do the right thing... while craftily playing RMAF politics to secure his squadron's essential needs. Decent pilot, though not quite the best.

1st Lieutenant John Davis: At this point of the story, the de facto XO of Lipan, after the previous XO bought it several months ago. John is a study in contrasts, being by nature a laidback slacker who nontheless can get quite worked up about things he feels are important. Has a certain self-sacrificing trait, and ironically, has one of the highest flight hours in Lipan while having the lowest Hornet time, as Lipan is periodically forced to use F-5Es while waiting for replacement Hornets, and John keeps volunteering to give his Hornet to someone else. As such he has no attachment at all to any TSF. Wrote No.18's book on tactics and the ins and outs Hornets.

2nd Lieutenant Raymond Tan: Son of an Army General from a well-to-do family, Ray is a fortunate son indeed. His main goals are to do his job, and try and prove that he's where he is due to his own merits... while fighting his inner nature to be a slacker. One of the newest pilots to Lipan, though he flies somewhat differently to everyone due to having being trained in Australia. At this point, is more Australian than Malaysian. Generally a decent guy. Probably better pilot than John.

__________________

~Speaking my mind, even when it costs me~One must forgive one's enemies, but not before they are hanged.Heinrich Heine.

- Anyone who thinks their own government is perfect is an idiot.
- Anyone who thinks some other country's government is perfect is a moron.
- Anyone who'd shoot anyone else criticizing their government is probably a Marine and it is best not to annoy them.